20/10/2016. Bashiqa, Iraq. A Kurdish T-55 tank advances as peshmerga fighters start a large offensive to retake the Bashiqa area from Islamic State militants today (20/10/2016).<br /> <br /> Launched in the early hours of today with support from coalition special forces and air strikes, the attack is part of the larger operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, and involves both the Kurds and the Iraqi Army. The city of Bashiqa, around 9 miles north of Mosul, is one of several gateway areas that must be taken before any attempted offensive on Mosul itself.<br /> <br /> Despite the peshmerga suffering several casualties after militants fought back using mortars, heavy machine guns and snipers, the Kurdish forces were quickly taking ground with Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister, stating that the operation to retake Mosul was progressing faster than expected. Photo credit: Matt Cetti-Roberts/LNP
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